Degu

About the species

The degu is a diurnal, extremely social and unusually intelligent rodent from Chile — which means keepers can watch and interact with it all day, a rarity among pet rodents. It isn't a pet for a complete beginner, though: it needs company of its own kind, a large, tall enclosure, and a strictly controlled diet, since it is strongly prone to Type 2 diabetes.

From Chile's Andean foothills to a popular pet rodent

The degu (Octodon degus) comes from central Chile, where it inhabits semi-arid scrubland (the "matorral") on the western slopes of the Andes, from sea level up to around 1,800 m. In the wild it lives in complex underground colonies shared by a group — according to the Handbook of the Mammals of the World, this is typically 2 to 5 adult females with their young, while the number of adult males per group varies between sources. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as Least Concern, citing its wide range and the absence of major threats (2016 assessment).

Appearance, size, and a daytime rhythm

An adult measures roughly 17–21 cm (body length excluding the tail), with males on average somewhat larger than females; body mass ranges from 200 to 300 g. The tail, nearly as long as the body and tipped with a dark tuft, isn't meant to be grabbed — never pick up or hold a degu by the tail, since fear or stress can make it shed the skin and tip of its tail, which needs veterinary care because of infection risk. Unlike most pet rodents, the degu is diurnal (most active in the morning and evening), so it needs a predictable rhythm of light and darkness.

Diet and a predisposition to diabetes

The degu is strongly prone to Type 2 diabetes, so its diet is based on unlimited good-quality hay, supplemented with a small, measured amount of degu or chinchilla pellets (without molasses) and, occasionally, a small amount of permitted low-sugar vegetables. Avoid fruit and sugary treats (including anything with molasses); carrot, beetroot and other sweeter vegetables should only be a very occasional treat in small amounts. Degus also eat their own soft droppings directly from the anus (coprophagy) — this is normal, necessary behaviour that lets them extract remaining nutrients from their food, not a sign of illness.

Housing and temperature

It needs a large, tall enclosure with several levels, branches of safe wood (such as pear, apple or beech) for climbing, and solid, cushioned shelving, since mesh or slippery flooring can injure its feet. As a prey species, it feels safer under a solid roof than open mesh. The space should be well ventilated — glass tanks and enclosed glass vivariums can cause respiratory problems from poor air circulation. The degu tolerates heat poorly: enclosure temperature should not exceed 20°C, so keep it away from radiators and direct sunlight; an animal lying still, flat on its stomach, may be overheating and needs urgent veterinary attention.

Sand baths instead of water

For coat and skin care, the degu needs regular bathing in special chinchilla sand — in a shallow, heavy bowl with sand about 4 cm deep, offered roughly 2 to 3 times a week for about 20 minutes. More frequent or constant access isn't necessary and can dry out the coat too much. Don't use water for bathing.

Sociability and a rich vocal repertoire

The degu is one of the most social pet rodents — in the wild it shares underground burrows, raises young communally, and grooms other group members, so it should never be kept alone: ideally in a same-sex group or pair, to prevent unplanned breeding. A study of its vocal repertoire (Long, 2007), based on more than 3,500 recordings, identified at least 15 distinct call categories — from alarm calls to parent–offspring communication — pointing to a comparatively varied and complex vocal repertoire.

Health and teeth

A healthy degu has bright eyes, clean ears, a glossy coat, and teeth of a natural yellow-orange colour — if the teeth suddenly turn white, that can be a sign of poor health, not improvement. Its teeth grow continuously, so check them at least once a week; only a vet should correct overgrown or misaligned teeth. The degu is also prone to cataracts and, because of its sugar sensitivity described above, to diabetes. As it's a relatively new pet species, we recommend a vet experienced with exotics and an annual health check.

Before you decide

The degu suits a keeper who can provide at least two animals together, a large enclosure with controlled temperature, and a consistently low-sugar diet — in return it offers an unusually interactive, daytime companion you can, unlike most pet rodents, watch and engage with all day long.

Pros & cons